BBMR is also responsible for conducting management research projects evaluating the cost-effectiveness and revenue-generating potential of City services. Management research projects are conducted in accordance with a protocol that includes entrance and exit conferences with the service being evaluated, rigorous research and analysis, a written report with recommendations, and a presentation to the Mayor.

Management Research Reports

ReportRelease DateDescription
Analyzing the Impact of the 2024 "Renew Baltimore" Charter Amendment Proposal on Property Tax Rates April, 2024This report uncovers the likely budget impact of the "Renew Baltimore" proposal, and to test some of the claims that Renew Baltimore has made about its’ proposal.
A Comprehensive Review of the City's Current Tax Credit ProgramsAugust, 2022The City has a large portfolio of tax credits that collectively cost $126.7 million in the Fiscal 2022 budget, which equates to nearly 14% of the City’s real property tax revenue. This report highlights four strategic actions to be taken to get better value from the City’s tax credit system.
Ernst & Young Property Tax Credit AnalysisApril, 2022Ernst & Young (EY) was commissioned by the City of Baltimore to analyze the City’s property tax credit policy to assess its alignment with the City’s policy objectives. This study examines seven tax credit programs — Homestead, Targeted Homeowners, Newly Constructed, Historic Restoration and Rehabilitation, High-Performance Market-Rate Rental Housing, Brownfields, and Enterprise Zone.
Senior Services: Review of Services Provided to Seniors by the Baltimore City GovernmentJanuary, 2016In recent years, the Baltimore City government has been spending between $20 and $30 million annually on senior services. Most of this funding has come from either the federal government or the Maryland State government. The purpose of conducting this study has been to 1) provide a comprehensive inventory of the services provided by the City government to seniors, 2) determine which measures the services are using to keep track of performance, 3) establish what types of funds go to these services, and 4) determine how well the grants are being managed.
Special Fund AnalysisMay, 2015Oversight and controls of Special Funds have been challenging as the management of Special Funds have mainly been decentralized. This report analyzes the status of 13 special funds the City oversees and provide recommendations for each.
Charm City Circulator: A Financial Analysis to Determine the Sustainability of Current OperationsNovember, 2014The Baltimore City Department of Transportation established the Charm City Circulator in Fiscal Year 2010. The purpose of conducting this study is to identify historical revenues and expenses associated with the operation of this service, to provide an accurate projection of future revenues and expenses moving forward, to develop ideas for better managing the service financially, to examine ridership levels, and to compare Baltimore’s system to those of other jurisdictions.
Street RepavingJanuary, 2014The Department of Transportation runs an in-house repaving operation to mill and pave neighborhood streets throughout the City. The purpose of conducting this study is 1) to determine the full cost of conducting this operation, 2) to conduct an activity based costing analysis of the operation, 3) to identify ways that the operation can be performed more efficiently, and 4) to identify any process improvements that can help ensure that efficiency gains can be maintained.
Community Job HubsFebruary, 2014The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development established the Community Job Hubs program in November 2012 to provide job search assistance to clients in distressed neighborhoods. The purpose of conducting this study is to determine 1) the effectiveness of the Job Hubs program in helping clients find jobs, 2) the level of service being provided to Baltimore residents across centers and 3) ways to improve center performance.
A Handbook For Full Cost Accounting And Activity-Based Costing Using Mixed Refuse Collection As A Case StudyMay, 2014The Bureau of Budget and Management Research developed this handbook to provide a framework for conducting full-cost accounting and activity based costing. In this particular case study, we assessed the full cost associated with Mixed Refuse Collection and Disposal, which will inform potential movement to a Solid Waste Enterprise system. The activity based costing will allow for comparison of service provision across Quadrants.
Improving City Grants ManagementSeptember, 2013The management of City grants is primarily the responsibility of the various City agencies receiving the grants. The purpose of conducting this study is to identify ways to improve the overall management and fiscal oversight of City grants to ensure: 1) City assets are safeguarded; 2) anticipated grants support the Mayor’s priority outcomes for the City of Baltimore; and 3) grant programs are managed efficiently and effectively.
Evaluating the Operations and Revenue Generation Potential of the Inner Harbor Dock MasterApril, 2013The Dockmaster is responsible for collecting all transient boater docking fees in the Inner Harbor. The purpose of conducting this study is to find ways to increase revenue potential and decrease operating costs by examining the fee structures and operations of comparable jurisdictions so that the Dockmaster operation can become self-sufficient.
Further Steps Needed to Improve Cost-Effectiveness of the Conduct of ElectionsJanuary, 2013The Board of Elections is authorized by the Public General Laws of Maryland and is empowered to make rules consistent with State laws to ensure the proper and efficient registration of voters and conduct of elections. The purpose of conducting this study is to find ways to increase cost‐ effectiveness of the conduct of elections and to examine alternative voting methods so that Baltimore City can chart the future of its own system of election administration with the most information possible.
Additional Steps Needed for City of Baltimore University to Become Self SufficientJanuary, 2013COB University is mainly responsible for delivering training programs and coordinating the apprenticeship program. The purpose of conducting this study is to find ways to maximize revenue and increase cost‐efficiency so that COB University can become self‐sufficient.